Palestinians

Policy Analysis on Palestinians

Since the end of March 2018, the Gaza-Israel border has witnessed repeated violent eruptions initiated by Hamas, including challenging the border and causing massive fires in Israel. With ongoing friction for months and scores of Palestinian fatalities, clashes have grown progressively more violent, risking deterioration into yet another Israel-Hamas war

Jul 12, 2018

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Michael Herzog
Ghaith al-Omari

In-Depth Reports

Life on the Edge: Israel and the Gaza Strip

A look at the socioeconomic and political issues fueling Gaza's dilemma for the last seven decades and the policy options for addressing them.

Jun 27, 2018

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Sami Turjeman

Articles & Testimony

A Path Forward for Team Trump on Israel and Gaza: Follow Nickolay Mladenov's Lead

Using the money cut from UNRWA to restore electricity, water, and sewage treatment in Gaza could help prevent another conflict and reopen peace diplomacy.

Jun 18, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Arab Leaders Need to Play a More Prominent Role on Peace-Making Than They Ever Have Before

By securing regional buy-in for a new peace plan before making it public, Washington has a much better chance of getting the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.

Jun 15, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

The Next Mideast Explosion

An all-out war between Iran and Israel is approaching, and the Trump administration has no strategy for preventing it.

May 20, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Give Palestinians Hope and Peace May Follow

Considering the Trump administration's lack of credibility with the Palestinians, the crucial task of announcing projects for Gaza now falls to European and Arab leaders.

May 19, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Jerusalem Embassy Move, Gaza Fatalities Dim Hopes for U.S. Peace Plan

While the U.S. administration talks about a peace plan, the recent disruptions have deepened skepticism about its prospects for success.

May 14, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

How Hamas Exploits the People of Gaza: Protests Clarify Their Cynical Tactics

It is time to create a stark public choice for Hamas: stop escalating tensions, and important rebuilding work will begin.

Apr 23, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

The Dammam Summit: Testing the Limits of Arab-Israeli Engagement

Although the event's impact on bilateral Arab relations with Israel will likely be minimal, the issues addressed in its resolutions and the way they are framed will indicate how far leaders are willing to go in publicly engaging the state.

Apr 13, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Gaza Protests Spark Deadly Violence Along Israeli Border

The recent clashes were intended as the first salvo in a longer-term border confrontation, so the potential for escalation is high.

Apr 3, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

The Gaza Crisis and the Clash to Come

The spike in violence and threats of new sanctions will only exacerbate months of simmering tensions between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

Apr 3, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari
Grant Rumley

Video

Brief Analysis

Evolution of the Palestinian Authority Security Forces

The PASF have become a dependable peace partner, but can they maintain stability amid U.S. aid cuts and imminent political storms?

Apr 2, 2018

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Neri Zilber
Ghaith al-Omari

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

State with No Army, Army with No State

Evolution of the Palestinian Authority Security Forces, 1994–2018

No institution embodies the move toward Palestinian self-determination quite like the Palestinian Authority security forces (PASF). Created in the wake of the Oslo Accords, the PASF encompasses a collection of gendarmerie, police, intelligence, and civil defense services that has played a crucial role, for both good and ill, in every

Mar 27, 2018

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Neri Zilber
Ghaith al-Omari

President Donald Trump meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Forget the Ultimate Deal: Trump and Netanyahu Should Save Gaza For Now

A plan to avert further economic deterioration in the strip may not be an ultimate deal, but it is a necessary one.

Mar 4, 2018

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David Makovsky

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

The Road to Protective Edge:

Israel-Hamas Confrontation in Gaza

Without the creation of a new military concept by Israel to counter Hamas, a much bloodier conflict is likely in the future.

Feb 23, 2018

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Sami Turjeman

Brief Analysis

Abbas at the Security Council

While the occasion of a Palestinian leader addressing the council was novel, the speech itself was classic Abbas: balancing his domestic need to appear defiant, but avoiding irretrievable diplomatic damage.

Feb 20, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Israel, the Palestinians, and the Administration's Peace Plan

A former PA advisor discusses the concrete steps Washington can take to preserve security cooperation and build public trust between the two sides, at least until deeper negotiations are possible again.

Feb 14, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

The Hush-Hush Deal That Keeps the Middle East from Exploding

Israeli and Palestinian officials may growl at one another, but their soldiers are quietly cooperating behind the scenes to keep the peace -- as long as the Trump administration doesn't pull their funding.

Feb 12, 2018

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Neri Zilber
Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

New Palestinian and Egyptian Designations Highlight Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood

The State Department is upping the pressure on Tehran and the Brotherhood's violent progeny in Gaza and Egypt.

Jan 31, 2018

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Hamas Failures in Gaza Are Changing Israel's Stance

At a time when the prospects for Palestinian political reconciliation have faded, international donor initiatives and Israeli infrastructure projects could help avert further deterioration.

Jan 30, 2018

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David Makovsky
Lia Weiner

Supported by the

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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Featured experts

Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship.

David Makovsky

David Makovsky is the Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations.

Dennis Ross

Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to President Barack Obama, is the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Ehud Yaari

Ehud Yaari is the Lafer International Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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Palestinians

Policy Analysis on Palestinians

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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Regions & Countries

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Palestinians

Policy Analysis on Palestinians

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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